It finally feels like summer here Michigan. And for me, that means more reading!
Books are an integral part of my life & I’m always referring people to my favorites.
So, to support my local bookseller (Schuler Books), I’ve started a bookshop.org page that I hope you’ll check out.
My shop is full of personal and professional favorites that will leave you inspired, laughing, thinking, or all of the above!
Thanks for your support and happy reading!
Career Coaching
Mantra #3: Go Where You’re Respected
Do you love yourself enough to go where you’re celebrated and not just tolerated? 💜
As a small business owner an N of 1, being sick can be terrifying. Not only do you not feel well physically, but you worry about your business. It feels as if there are literal dollars flowing down the drain.
Yet, I know (in my old age 🙂 that resting is important and really, the only way to get better fast.
When I am sick, I have to cancel appointments, calling or texting clients at odd hours to apologize and change plans, hopefully giving them enough notice not to cause too much disruption.
Fortunately, a𝙡𝙡 of my clients have been gracious and understanding. Some of them aren’t even clients yet! They have sent me quick emails wishing me quick recovery and have already rescheduled. Thank you!
This is a far cry from my last job where I was scolded for not calling in sick before 8am every day. No one called or emailed me to see how I was doing. And when I was finally well enough to return, I was met with a “letter in my file” for violating a (non-existent) “attendance policy.”🙄
I am finally in a professional place where I am loved and celebrated. It took years to build my business and I’m grateful for it every day. I truly love what I do and I’m honored to work with amazing people.
I was barely tolerated in my last job.
I stayed for all kinds of reasons. Most of them bad. And all of them false, because they were rooted in fear, not love.
You are allowed to be loved- at home, with family and friends, in school, and yes, at work.
If you aren’t. I’m so sorry. I know how painful that is. It makes you doubt yourself. It makes you think you’re going crazy.
You’re not crazy and you’re not wrong.
You’re allowed to be celebrated.
You’re allowed to want more.
You’re allowed to love yourself.
Mantra #2: Great People do Things before They’re Ready
Leslie Knope, from Parks & Recreation, is a modern day shero: smart, ambitious, funny, and fiercely loyal.
We have Amy Poehler to thank for Leslie. I’m a huge Amy Poehler fan. She works hard, uses her quick wit to make others laugh without resorting to snark, and is unabashedly feminist and intersectional in uplifting other women, especially young girls (see: Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls).
In my work as a career coach and resume writer, I help women and men across industries, generations, life experiences, and skill levels. I’ve noticed that men are more willing to see coaching and resume writing as an investment and decide more quickly to hire me.
The women I speak with tend to hem and haw. They are less likely to see themselves as ready or worthy of the time and money they will spend in coaching. They (almost always) consult with someone else about their decision before they circle back to me.
In her book, 𝘠𝘦𝘴, 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 Amy writes:
“Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it. Doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that- that’s what life is. You might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that’s really special and if you’re not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself.”
I know what self-doubt feels like. I was NOT ready to quit my full-time job and take my company full-time. I’m glad I took the leap, though!
I help people find and promote their best selves. I am the coach that I needed when I wasn’t ready. I’m no Leslie Knope, but I am a compassionate listener and strong encourage-r. I help people see their unique gifts and talents, so they can find and then tell their career story.
Ladies, it’s time for us to stop waiting until we’re ready. Until we have every single box checked before we apply for that job, run for office, have a baby, choose a partner.
There is no ready. You are already ready. You can do this.
Like Leslie, find a squad of gals, love em fiercely, and let them love you fiercely in return.
I can help, too. Contact me- you’re “ready.”
musingsfromthemiddle 